Legal Rights and Remedies for Dog Bite Victims

A dog attack can be a scary thing to witness and an even more terrifying thing to experience. Dog bite victims in Florida have rights and legal recourse if they are bitten by a dog.

If you suffered a dog bite in Florida, knowing what you can do and what rights you have is essential. Consider the following:

• Dog bite victims have the right to have an attorney represent them and fight on their behalf to get the full amount of compensation they are owed. An attorney will be able to assess the value of a dog bite injury claim and also pursue all options related to recovering compensation for dog bite victims. After a dog bite, you can connect with a Tampa dog bite injury attorney at Fulgenio Law to learn more about your rights and ability to secure compensation.
• Florida’s strict liability dog bite laws say that an owner of a dog that bites is responsible for the injuries that a victim suffers. 
• It can be possible to file a negligence lawsuit against a dog owner if it can be shown that they were negligent and that is what led to the attack.
• A landlord may be liable, in some circumstances, for paying a victim their damages when a tenant’s dog bites.
• A person’s homeowners insurance policy or renter’s insurance policy may cover dog bite incidents.
• When the dog bite incident is particularly severe or if the dog’s owner knew that their pet was very dangerous, a bite incident can lead to criminal charges for the owner.
• Personal injury claims can cover all of the losses that a dog bite victim suffered including, but not limited to, missed wages while out of work, medical expenses, and pain and suffering.
• Like any type of personal injury event, there is a limited time that a dog bite victim can make a claim and obtain the compensation they need. A dog bite victim will only have two years from when they were attacked to file their claim. This timeframe is known as the statute of limitations and if a claim is not filed during this time, a dog bite victim will be unable to recover financial compensation.

Dogs can be unpredictable and certain circumstances can make a dog feel the need to bite. While people of all ages can have considerable physical bodily harm inflicted upon them if they are attacked by a dog, children tend to be the most vulnerable to dog bites. In specific, those aged one to nine are the highest risk. 

Dog bite incidents can happen anywhere, and any bite can be serious leading to significant injuries and death. According to Florida Health, at least two people will die from dog bite injuries in Florida each year. Additionally, every year more than 600 people in the Sunshine State will be hospitalized. 

Speak to Fulgencio Law Today

You have options when it comes to obtaining compensation for your damages after a dog bite in Florida. Let an attorney at Fulgencio Law discuss with you what you can do to get the compensation you deserve during a free consultation. Please call (813) 463-0123 today.